Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith Page A

hand around her wrist, Gage held her next to him. She leaned against him, relieved that it was him touching her. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to pull away from him again after having Brandon’s hands on her. Logan stepped into the middle of the group and nodded at his Alpha.
    “I believe our guests have overstayed their welcome. Now that the happy couple has left, they shall be escorted out.” Gage’s voice was low and deadly. Daring anyone to challenge him.
    “I’ll see to it, Alpha.” Logan nodded and reached for Brandon, who pushed his hands away.
    Standing on his own, Brandon faced off with Gage. “I agree we should be leaving. We’ll just be taking Marissa with us,” he said smugly.
    Marissa stepped behind Gage, using him as a shield. She wasn’t going with Brandon. She didn’t think Gage would make her, but, if what Brandon had said were true, he might not have a choice.
    “I don’t think so.” Gage didn’t sound amused as Brandon stood in front of him.
    Brandon smiled. “As her Pack Alpha, I will be returning her home.”
    “Pack Alpha?” Gage looked over his shoulder at her. Marissa shook her head. He faced Brandon again. “I think not.”
    “She was born into my Pack.”
    “And left your Pack at the request of your Alpha.”
    “Really?” Brandon challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have no paperwork supporting that.”
    “Of course not.” Gage nodded as if he understood.
    Marissa panicked. “Gage.”
    “Hush,” he ordered. She fell silent. “Well, then I suppose you have the paperwork stating that she does belong to your Pack.”
    The smile faded on Brandon’s face. “I do. Not with me, though.”
    Gage shook his head. “I cannot in good conscience turn over a female who I don’t know truly belongs with you.”
    Brandon took one step forward. “You would start a war over this slut?”
    Marissa gripped the back of Gage’s shirt. She didn’t think Gage would turn her over to the other man, but doubt still made her stomach tighten with nerves.
    Gage didn’t move but met the other Alpha’s stare. “Would you ? You are in my territory now.”
    Brandon relaxed his stance. “We’ll see about this.” He turned and walked away, his Pack members following him.
    “Make sure they all leave, Logan. Then I want you in my office.”
    Logan nodded first to his Alpha then to the other Enforcers who had surrounded them. They all left silently.
    After turning, Gage grabbed Marissa’s arm and pulled her toward the house.
    “Party’s over,” he threw back over his shoulder at the other members of his Pack, having them disperse quickly.
    Marissa remained quiet as Gage led her away. In the shoes she wore, she kept tripping. Gage didn’t slow his steps. However, he did tighten his hold. Even though he was really towing her along and his hold was strong, it didn’t hurt. Because Gage wouldn’t hurt her. Not physically. But if he gave her over to Brandon, it would break her.
     
    Sam jumped up when Gage walked into his office with Marissa. Gage pointed to the couch and waited for Marissa to sit before turning to his Enforcer.
    “I apologize for my action, Alpha. I have no excuse for starting a fight with another wolf without your permission.”
    Gage nodded. “Yes. Especially another Alpha.”
    Sam’s eyes widened. He hadn’t known that Brandon was an Alpha. If his guard couldn’t detect the power, Gage knew he’d been correct about Brandon not carrying the authority needed to lead. That was valuable information.
    Sam wiped his dirty hands on his pants. “I can only say that I was protecting the woman that my Alpha has taken as his own. He had his hands on her and she was protesting.”
    “And for that I thank you. Stand down, Sam, you are not in trouble.”
    Sam relaxed. He glanced from Marissa back to him. “Is everything okay?”
    Gage shook his head and walked behind his desk. “I don’t know. But I have a favor to ask.”
    “Anything, Alpha,” Sam